WHO ARE THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ITALY, LODGE 2436?

L to right. Chris Ballard, Debora Bent, Lucia CuColino, Joyce Beneviades, Lilly Zappa, Cindy Mc Causland, Jane Parthemore, Joe Denovo, Betty and Ed Toppini and President Alexandria Haselman.

The Sons and Daughters of Italy, Lodge 2436 was founded on May 7th, 1979 in Key West Florida as a Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America, the largest and oldest national organization for men and women of Italian heritage in the United States.

The Order Sons of Italy in America® (OSIA) founded in 1905, represents the estimated 26 million Americans of Italian heritage, and is dedicated to promoting our culture, our traditions, our language, the legacy of our ancestors, and our contributions to the U.S. and the world.  Its missions include encouraging the study of Italian language and culture in American schools and universities; preserving Italian American traditions, culture, history and heritage; and promoting closer cultural relations between the United States and Italy.

Women have always shared equal rights with men in OSIA, and make up about 50% of OSIA membership.  Women have held leadership positions at all levels, including state president, national trustee, national vice president and national president.

Sons and Daughters of Italy, Lodge 2436 in Key West is for people of any gender, age, religion and profession. You don’t even have to be Italian to join!  Whether you are of Italian heritage or simply have a love for things Italian, we welcome you as a member.

Lodge 2436 has been an integral part of Key West for nearly 45 years and was the initiators of the local Bocce program.  The Lodge is famous for presenting wonderful events like Pasta in the Park, Carnevale in Venice, Key West, lots of exciting Italian Wine Tastings, Viva Italia Hand-Painted Bicycle Raffle, and most recently a raffle for a Gourmet 5-course Italian Dinner for Eight. All these events benefitted our local charities.

Our local Lodge is a 501© (3) and provides quarterly contributions to our OSIA national charities: Cooley’s Anemia, Alzheimer’s, Cancer, and Autism.  Locally we provide a $2000 annual  Key West High School scholarship, plus provide support to Hospice VNA of the Keys, the MARC House, Conch Republic Foster Children’s Fund, Navy MWR, Military Member of the Year, Silver Liner’s “Trip to the North Pole”, The Sheriff’s Animal Farm, Navy League Commissioning Committee, The Nutcracker, Key West, and many more.

The Sons and Daughter of Italy, Lodge 2436 meets the second Wednesday of each month (from September thru May) at the American Legion Post 28, 5610 College Road.  Our meetings start at 5:30 PM with some good Italian food, and birthday (Buon Compleano) cake. The formal meeting follows.  We try to have an Italian culture training and always finish with a “survival Italian “mini-class.

If you would like know more about this exciting group, visit us on Facebook, or join us at a meeting the second Wednesday of the month at the American Legion.   Viva Italia!!

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